Obituaries

Chicago, IL (February 12, 2010) – Rev. Matthew “Scotty” McDonald, retired pastor of St. Malachy Parish on Chicago’s south side, died Wednesday, February 10, at the age of 94. Fr. McDonald was an ordained priest for 60 years, and served for 19 years as a chaplain to the Chicago Fire Department. He was a resident of Resurrection Life Center at the time of his death.

Fr. McDonald attended St. Malachy and St. Matthew Catholic schools and graduated from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained by Samuel Cardinal Stritch in 1940.

Fr. McDonald’s first assignment was that of assistant pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, which is now closed. From 1946 to 57, Fr. McDonald was the assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Parish on 19th Street in Chicago, and from 1957 to 66, he served in the same capacity at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Both of these parishes are now closed.

In 1965, in addition to his parish work, Fr. McDonald took on the duties of chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Council 1118. He followed that with 19 years of service as a chaplain for the Chicago Fire Department, also in addition to his work as pastor of St. Malachy Parish (1966-70) and as assistant pastor of the now closed St. Veronica Parish, (1970-87). Fr. McDonald retired from active ministry in 1987 with residence at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston.

A wake for Fr. McDonald will take place on Sunday, February 14, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Smith Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave. in Chicago. Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, will be the main celebrant at a funeral Mass for Fr. McDonald on Monday, February 15, at 11 a.m. at St. Juliana Parish, 7201 N. Oketo Ave. in Chicago.

Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside. Fr. McDonald is survived by his brother, John McDonald, and his sister, Therese Kowal.